Heather

Heather Mann is chief editor of Dollar Store Crafts, and specializes in transforming inexpensive materials into stylish and simple craft projects. She has appeared on the Martha Stewart Show, in Reader’s Digest and the New York Times. DSC has been recognized as named one of Babble.com’s Top 10 Best Overall Craft Blogs (2011 & 2012) and Apartment Therapy’s 10 Crafty Blogs We Love (2010). Her work has been viewed by millions on the cover of FamilyFun magazine and on top websites such as RealSimple, Huffington Post, ABCNews.com, and others.

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Kathy

jonah

October 18, 2009 at 7:46 pm

great idea, however, isn’t the idea behind waldorf dolls to use all natural materials?
cottons, wools, great… not so sure about acrylic, plastic…aren’t the dolls supposed to be filled with wool?
just curious if the design is being used for traditional waldorf play?

Kimberly Sullivan

May 26, 2011 at 7:05 am

The original concept for Waldorf Dolls was natural materials, but I also think the started back in a time when synthetics were not available. I think just using these easy to get supplies is very good. A Waldorf inspired doll of our day and age!

winterscrow

Hi the doll is cute! Where can I find a free pattern for the dolls body so I can make one for my little girl, since I’m on a fixed budget.

Sasha

March 3, 2013 at 8:52 am

Yes, the point behind Waldorf dolls and all Waldorf items is that they are all natural – it gives them a sort of living presence and is healthier than synthetics. More important than the exact design of the toy is that it is simple and natural. These dolls were not originally called Waldorf dolls, they were called after the lady who designed them (can’t remember her name, sorry). However, you can find natural materials at the dollar store. You can find cotton T-shirts to make the dolls body with rather than tights and you can dye them as needed with Rit. While cotton won’t give the doll the warmth that wool gives, it is a fraction of the cost, so cotton balls are a good alternative if you can’t afford wool and don’t have an old sweater. You can always leave the doll bald and put a hat on its head like a baby to avoid using acrylic yarn until you can afford the wool – add the hair later as the doll “grows up”. 100% cotton baby cloths are available everywhere, sometimes at the dollar store even, so the clothing should pose a problem in the way of Waldorf-ness. And of course, glass buttons and natural beads are available at the dollar store from time to time as well, so you can easily replace the plastic bits as you wish, or leave them out all together. This person, I believe, was making a doll out of dollar store items only for a blog about dollar store only items. You can even use scraps from old clothing to replace the synthetic bits (I used one of my husbands old T-shirts and dyed it, and an old wool sweater for stuffing)

All in all I have to say this is a great starting point for an inexpensive ACTUAL Waldorf doll. Definitely a great toy if you are not running a Waldorf home but want a nice doll. . . And the shoes are absolutely perfect, my son’s doll will definitely be getting a pair of these soon.

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